Chapter 178: Chapter 178

Flora obediently stayed in the house, browsing the internet and playing the piano. When she finally felt bored, she heard the sound of a car outside and joyfully ran out to the terrace. She had become accustomed to recognizing Maxwell's car sound. His return was heralded by the sound of his car!

Peering from the terrace, she saw that Mrs. Smith had been discharged, and both Robin and Maxwell were back. However, Oliver was nowhere to be seen! A sense of puzzlement arose in her again. Why hadn't Oliver returned?

But she was merely curious, with no ulterior motive. Maxwell had warned her not to inquire about the Smith Family matters, so she dared not ask again. She thought that perhaps he had returned to England. He used to leave in such a hurry, without saying a word.

Chiyoko greeted her and asked with concern, "Aunt, how are you? I wanted to accompany you to the hospital, but Maxwell didn't let me." She was right; indeed, it was Maxwell who forbade her from going. However, she didn't understand why. Did he hate her so much that he wouldn't even let her accompany Mrs. Smith to the hospital?

"Well, it's not a big deal, so I didn't want to bother you." Mrs. Smith forced a smile, her face still showing deep sadness. She felt guilty for Oliver.

Looking at Chiyoko, a bitter smile surged in her heart. Poor Chiyoko, she couldn't have imagined that the man she had slept with a year ago was Maxwell, not Oliver as she believed. Life was truly ironic! If she found out, she would probably be so angry she'd spit blood and die!

No cheated woman in the world was unluckier than her. No wonder Maxwell, who was supposed to be on a business trip, suddenly rushed back to catch her cheating. He blocked her in Oliver's room that night. Everything was under his control. Even she, the aunt of Maxwell and Oliver, was deceived by Maxwell. How could Chiyoko escape his deception?

Since Maxwell didn't want others to know about his and Oliver's true identities, Mrs. Smith had to bite her tongue and endure, pretending nothing had happened and she knew nothing!

Of course, she would secretly bring Oliver back. When the time came, there wouldn't be a need for Maxwell to play the role. There would be a real and alive Oliver in the Smith Family Manor!

"Aunt, come over for dinner. I cooked everyone's favorite dishes." Chiyoko still spoke with a smiling face, always looking meek and docile in front of others.

Mrs. Smith, however, had no appetite. Her heart felt as heavy as a large stone, painful and uncomfortable. She shook her head apologetically. "Thank you, but I don't want to eat. I'll rest in my room. You accompany Maxwell and Robin for dinner."

Chiyoko was taken aback and said with concern, "Aunt, you can't skip meals. Eat a little less."

Maxwell also chimed in, "Yeah, Aunt, you can't skip meals. Eat a little, then get a good night's sleep." Only he could feel the pain in Mrs. Smith's heart, but he had no way to help share the burden. He could only advise her to take care of herself, helping her walk toward the dining room.

When he first saw Kevin, his reaction was the same as Mrs. Smith's—astonished. After that, he was tossed about by tumultuous waves of emotions for quite some time. What he never expected was that Oliver hadn't died and was still alive and well.

Certainly, he hadn't thought of Oliver coming back in such a manner. Oliver had been declared dead by the police, and even the body had been handed over to his father. Maxwell believed that all of this was orchestrated by Mrs. Davis. If she intended to play with the Smith Family, she would do it thoroughly, leaving no trace!

Mrs. Smith didn't want to make things difficult for them, so she went along with them to the dining room, even though she genuinely couldn't eat! Maxwell had it hard enough; she didn't want to add to his worries!

After dinner, Maxwell personally escorted Mrs. Smith back to her room, soothing her emotions before turning away. At the moment when he was about to release the doorknob, Mrs. Smith suddenly called out to him.

Maxwell turned around, looking at Mrs. Smith and asking, "Aunt, is there anything else?"

Mrs. Smith sighed lightly and said, "Since the one who had intimate relations with Chiyoko last year was you, don't continue this cold war. She was also misled by you; you can't blame her!"

Unexpectedly, Mrs. Smith still thought of Chiyoko at this moment. Maxwell's memory went back to a year ago with her, recalling the time when Chiyoko, taking advantage of his absence from the Smith Family Manor, seduced Oliver. In anger, he set up a trap and sent her to the third floor.

With a cold smile, he said, "Aunt, don't you understand? Regardless of who the other person is, the nature of infidelity is the same. I will never accept an unfaithful woman!"

"What about Flora? Is she loyal? Why can you forgive her but not Chiyoko?" Mrs. Smith stared at him, then sighed helplessly. "Don't use the child as an excuse. Even without that child, your heart has already leaned towards her!"

Flora? Maxwell felt a pang. All he could say was that at least Flora's body was pure. People liked things that were perfect and flawless, and he was her first man, believing he was the only one. Unreasonably, he just believed her words!

Compared to Chiyoko's intricate thoughts and deep scheming, Flora seemed much simpler. Such a woman was easy to get along with, and her simplicity was permeated with a distinct personality—a type of woman that men would naturally love.

"Aunt, loving someone is a feeling. Since it's someone to accompany me for a lifetime, naturally, I can't compromise, can I?" Maxwell smiled and asked. He still believed that Mrs. Smith was the rational aunt he knew!

Mrs. Smith sighed lightly, saying, "I understand all of this. After all, I've been through it. I've always intervened in your marriage because I worry about your safety!" It was the first time in her life that Mrs. Smith interfered in such a manner. Her heart had indeed been disturbed by Chiyoko, frightened and shaken by Chiyoko's intimidating words. That's why she was worried!

"Now that Oliver has been taken away, I don't want anything to happen to you!" Mentioning Oliver, Mrs. Smith's tears started to flow, once again immersing herself in the grief of these past few days.

"Aunt, you don't need to worry. I won't be in any danger," Maxwell comforted, patting her shoulder. "Oliver will come back; he will return one day." Will he really come back? He wasn't sure, as Oliver had already been corrupted by Mrs. Davis!

"I hope so..." Mrs. Smith said softly. Maxwell had no certainty, and naturally, neither did she. However, no one knew what Mrs. Davis would do next. She couldn't let Oliver take any risks!

After leaving Mrs. Smith's bedroom, Maxwell walked through the corridor with steady steps. He paused in front of the bedroom for two seconds, but unable to shake off the mountain of work in his mind, he decided to head towards the study.

It was already quite late, and Flora, glancing at the clock on the wall, wondered why Maxwell hadn't returned to sleep. Could he be staying elsewhere and not in the bedroom? To find out, she decided to use her usual trick.

Carrying a glass of milk, she walked towards the study. This time, she wasn't disappointed. Maxwell was indeed in the study, deeply engrossed in his work on the computer. He didn't even lift his head when she entered; it was as if she were transparent.

In his impression, the only person who would care about him working late at night was Chiyoko. She would bring him milk and snacks, even though he had told her many times not to bother. Chiyoko was a persistent person.

Knowing it must be Chiyoko, Maxwell didn't bother looking up. He could already imagine her appearance. She was probably wearing her sexy nightwear, showcasing her perfect figure, enough to make any man's nose bleed.

Flora stood by the door, seeing an untouched glass of milk on his desk. She hesitated, unsure whether to approach or retreat. Glancing at the seemingly unnecessary glass of milk in her hand, she decided that since she had already come in, there was no reason to leave.

Quietly, she approached him, hid the milk behind his computer, and chuckled as she said, "Big Young Master!"

Maxwell, pretending not to notice her actions, looked up with a serious expression and asked, "Is there something you need?" He was curious to hear the reason she had come in.

She wasn't someone who usually came to this part of the house, so was she really here just to bring him a glass of milk? Miss Flora wasn't known for being so considerate. Moreover, now that the milk was hidden, what was she up to?

"Well..." Flora chuckled, "It's already late. Why aren't you going to bed? You have work tomorrow." As she looked at him, she suddenly felt that he was living a tiring life, pressed down by such a heavy workload, staying up late and waking up early.

"Can't you sleep alone?" Maxwell leaned back in his chair, staring at her with a mischievous smile.

Flora quickly shook her head, explaining, "Oh... it's just that I don't like being disturbed when I sleep. I'm afraid you'll wake me up when you return to the room." It was a lie! Saying it occasionally wouldn't hurt, right? Flora thought, but it seemed like she had already told quite a few lies in front of Maxwell. Well, survival required some compromises!

Even though he had guessed right – she couldn't sleep when he didn't return to the bedroom – Flora tried to deny it.

"In that case, just wait patiently," Maxwell chuckled, lowering his head to continue focusing on the computer screen.

Flora, driven by curiosity, circled from the side of the desk and peeked over. There were some real estate balance sheets, manuals, and the like – it seemed to be work-related.

Maxwell's long arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her towards him. Flora sat in his lap without any hesitation.

Her heart skipped a beat, unsure of what he was up to. Her hands instinctively looped around his neck, seemingly enjoying the feeling of sitting in his lap.

From there, she could closely observe him, and catch a whiff of his unique scent, a satisfying experience.

Maxwell rested his chin on her shoulder, his gaze still fixed on the computer screen, and spoke gently, "Come, help me make a choice. Let's see which of these two companies is more suitable for investment."

Flora hesitated for a moment, then chuckled nervously, "You're asking me? How would I know?" She wasn't a businessperson!

"Just look at their balance sheets," Maxwell said casually.

Flora looked at the balance sheets on the computer screen and continued to laugh awkwardly, "Hah, I can't understand these balance sheets. The numbers are too complicated!"

"It's normal not to understand. Most people can't," Maxwell didn't press her further. However, he still kept her within his embrace, contemplating and seemingly pondering which option to choose.

Flora observed his handsome face up close, refraining from speaking to avoid disturbing him. She didn't dare to move carelessly. It wasn't until a familiar figure appeared at the partially closed door that she abruptly trembled and bounced out of his arms.

As if caught doing something naughty, she stared blankly at the doorway, where a pair of resentful eyes appeared—Chiyoko! Why her again? Was it because she saw Flora's intimate behavior with Maxwell that she looked so resentful?!

After exchanging glances for a few seconds, Chiyoko left angrily, while Flora remained standing in a daze. Her mind was still processing Chiyoko's malicious gaze, and she couldn't help but shiver at the terrifying look!

"You go to sleep first; I'll be there soon," Maxwell said, oblivious to the unusual situation outside the door and Flora's state. He thought she was just resisting him, as she had done before. It was late, and she should get some rest.

"Um... I think I'll wait for you to go back together," Flora chuckled, her fear of Chiyoko still lingering. She even feared that Chiyoko might be lurking near the door, waiting for her to come out, ready to do something outrageous!

Seeing her insistence, Maxwell reluctantly closed the computer, stood up from his chair, and said, "Let's go. It's time to go back to the bedroom and sleep."

"Are you done with your work?" Flora asked, glancing at the closed computer.

Maxwell gave her a disdainful look and said, "Do you think I would bother you, a special person, to wait here for me?" After speaking, he took her by the waist and walked toward the door.

"I didn't mean that," Flora defended herself. She wasn't indirectly threatening him; it was just that she was afraid of Chiyoko. However, if she could help him go to sleep earlier and save him from constantly staying up late, it would be great. Flora found herself caring for him again.

Chiyoko finally felt that waiting like this, enduring silently wasn't a solution. She found her way back to Mrs. Smith's room. If Mrs. Smith still appeared calm and hesitant, she would have to think of another plan.

In the past few days, Mrs. Smith had stayed in her bedroom, and sometimes even her meals were delivered by others. She had no energy to care about anything else.

When Chiyoko entered Mrs. Smith's bedroom, Mrs. Smith was flipping through a thick photo album.

Chiyoko walked over and gently called, "Aunt..." as she leaned forward to look at the album.

Mrs. Smith quickly closed the album and looked up, feeling somewhat uneasy. "Oh, Chiyoko, do you need something?" She spoke as if she had just hidden the album as if it were stolen.

Watching Mrs. Smith's behavior, Chiyoko, puzzled, asked, "Aunt, what's wrong? I've seen that album; you showed it to me." She had seen it a year ago, filled with childhood photos of Maxwell and Oliver. She didn't understand why Mrs. Smith was suddenly nervous today.

"Yes, I know. By the way, why did you come to see me?" Mrs. Smith, realizing that she had overreacted, tried to downplay her response. Sometimes being overly cautious could raise suspicions!

"Aunt, I wanted to ask you how things were dealt with between me and Maxwell? Because I am not young anymore, and I can't waste any more time here!" Chiyoko put on a helpless expression.

"Sorry, I've been ill these days, so I put this matter aside," Mrs. Smith apologized. In reality, she couldn't convince Maxwell, and there was nothing she could do about it!

Still, she really didn't care at all! Chiyoko thought with resentment, but her tone didn't reveal any anger. "Aunt, have you talked to him about letting Flora go to Oliver? Does he agree?"

At the mention of Oliver, Mrs. Smith covered her face and began to sob uncontrollably. Oliver! There was no Oliver here! Inside the Smith Family mansion, there was only Maxwell. Oliver turned out to be nothing more than a fictional character! How could she ask? How could she help?

Chiyoko hadn't even prepared to fake crying yet, but Mrs. Smith cried first. She felt a rising anger within her. Suppressing her frustration, she asked, "Aunt, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"I'm sorry, I'm not feeling well," Mrs. Smith apologized, wiping away a tear and feigning a choked voice. In these days, it was best not to mention Oliver in front of her. Otherwise, she would undoubtedly cry for a long time.

Chiyoko observed her and instantly saw through the excuse. She gritted her teeth and said, "Then rest, Aunt. I'll leave first. Let's talk when you feel better. Please, Aunt, don't cry. Your health will improve."

"Thank you, Chiyoko," Mrs. Smith expressed gratitude for her concern. However, she couldn't face her and face anyone, couldn't bear the pain in her heart, and the tears overwhelmed her, making it hard to speak.

"Okay. Rest, Aunt," Chiyoko stood up, turned, and walked toward the door. At that moment, a cold smile appeared on her face. Was she pretending? Chiyoko wanted to see how long Mrs. Smith could keep up the act! In any case, relying on her was hopeless. Chiyoko had no intention of relying on her any longer. Frustrated, she left Mrs. Smith's room, contemplating what to do next!